Hellgate: Resurrection........return of HGL to the west !

[Necuno]

Hellgate: Resurrection. i can't belive greedy namco finally let go of its rights of HGL for the west. yep HGL is set to return via hanbitsoft...


Hellgate: Resurrection........return of HGL to the west !

Following a year of legal wrangling, Namco Bandai has agreed to sell the European and North American Hellgate publishing rights to HanbitSoft, the franchise's current owner, for around $40,000:

HanbitSoft Inc., announced today that the company has obtained the publishing rights for Hellgate in North America, Europe and Japan from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.. HanbitSoft and NAMCO BANDAI Games America, the formal owner of the publishing rights in these regions, have entered into an agreement for the game to be distributed by HanbitSoft in the future.

Since October 2007, the sensational popularity of Hellgate: London has attracted many RPG gamers. When Flagship Studios closed its doors, the online portion of the game was suspended indefinitely in the relevant regions. Through this agreement, HanbitSoft now owns the worldwide publishing rights for the Hellgate franchise. HanbitSoft will roll out the launch of Hellgate overseas in 2010, starting with China, Taiwan, and South East Asia followed by North America, Europe, and Japan.

"We would like to thank NAMCO BANDAI Games America for allowing us to acquire the Hellgate publishing rights and are thrilled to have eager gamers worldwide return and enjoy the franchise," said Kee-Young Kim, CEO of HanbitSoft, and added "Hellgate: Resurrection is heading towards success in Korea such that we decided to push ahead with launching the game overseas next year. We will do our best to get the game to the fans as soon as possible."

"We are pleased to participate in the revitalization of Hellgate through this agreement and are deeply gratified to allow Hanbitsoft to take the lead on this franchise and bring this game to the people who seek it," said Zack Karlsson, senior director of business development at NAMCO BANDAI Games America.

In July 2008, T3 Entertainment acquired HanbitSoft which held Hellgate's IP and publishing rights in Asia. In collaboration with Hanbitsoft, T3 Entertainment utilized its team of excellent developers to continuously improve Hellgate. For over a year, the development team consistently provided a game with strong online features and user convenience systems. Recently, HanbitSoft launched a new, upgraded version of Hellgate called Hellgate: Resurrection in Korea which includes a free-to-play model. HanbitSoft also announced that the Korean gamers are welcoming the return of the new Hellgate, and the rapidly increasing number of users shows that Hellgate is in good hands.

Hellgate: Resurrection, in development at T3 Entertainment's San Francisco-based studio (staffed by many of the original Hellgate developers), includes London, additional enhancements and the recently announced expansion, Hellgate: Tokyo. In Asia, the game operates on two tiers, with basic access being free, and further elements opening up once a credit card is utilised.

[lilDeath]

Verdict: Good or Bad?

[Tank]

gives me hope that someday, maybe tabula rasa will see the light again

[Necuno]

Verdict: Good or Bad?

well i've played build v1.5 on the korean servers about 2 months back and only griped i had was that they've done away with elite difficulty now having only normal with or without hardcore. that was about the only reason i've continued to play HGL with few other persons to see how far we could push it on elite + hardcore mode as it was not easy.

they've changed quite few things for example the starting area some of the logo's where the game would normally load and finally the game would feature decent pvp and an auction house. however it's a wait to see what they have done with the IP making it now totally F2P as HGL:R and if it will have staying power this time round.

because the previous round it was riddled with bugs and more of an instanced mp with friends VS a real mmorpg feeling.

still i enjoyed the elite + hardcore runs with those who would venture out....

gives me hope that someday, maybe tabula rasa will see the light again

that would be awesome.

[lilDeath]

Right, wait and see it is then!

[Lydon]

gives me hope that someday, maybe tabula rasa will see the light again

I would probably cry with happiness.

Heck, if NCsoft would sell it to me for $40 000 I'd buy it myself! That's a steal.

[Magnarmalok]

I want Tabula Rasa and Auto Assualt

[Necuno]

I want Tabula Rasa

don't we all

[Necuno]

no beep or weep on this yet.

[Shamrock]

That article almost makes it sound like Hellgate is a good game. I got so bored of it after like, level 3. To actually push myself through it was a chore.